U.S. patent application number 11/388722 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-28 for system useful for holding a sample and in subjecting the sample to chromatographic analysis.
This patent application is currently assigned to Indiana Proteomics Consortium, LLC. Invention is credited to Kirk S. Boraas, John E. Hale, Michael D. Knierman.
Application Number | 20060213258 11/388722 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36658769 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060213258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hale; John E. ; et
al. |
September 28, 2006 |
System useful for holding a sample and in subjecting the sample to
chromatographic analysis
Abstract
A robotic system for handling components during chromatographic
analysis of a sample includes a holder for positioning a sample
within a separation pathway, the holder including a first opening
having an internally tapered shape and a second opening having an
externally tapered shape. An interior of the holder, between the
first and second openings, defines the separation pathway. A hollow
rigid member has an externally tapered shape, and a receiving
portion has an internally tapered shape. The holder is positioned
between the hollow rigid member and the receiving portion, wherein
the externally tapered hollow rigid member engages the internally
tapered first opening and the internally tapered receiving portion
receives the externally tapered second opening to provide a sealed
separation pathway extending from the hollow rigid member to the
receiving portion.
Inventors: |
Hale; John E.; (Fishers,
IN) ; Knierman; Michael D.; (Indianapolis, IN)
; Boraas; Kirk S.; (Chaska, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
INDIANAPOLIS OFFICE 27879;BRINKS HOFER GILSON & LIONE
ONE INDIANA SQUARE, SUITE 1600
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204-2033
US
|
Assignee: |
Indiana Proteomics Consortium,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
36658769 |
Appl. No.: |
11/388722 |
Filed: |
March 24, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60665783 |
Mar 28, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
73/61.55 ;
73/23.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N 2035/00237
20130101; G01N 30/24 20130101; G01N 30/82 20130101; G01N 30/6065
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
073/061.55 ;
073/023.41 |
International
Class: |
G01N 30/84 20060101
G01N030/84 |
Claims
1. A robotic system for handling components during chromatographic
analysis of a sample comprising: a holder for positioning a sample
within a separation pathway, the holder including a first opening
having an internally tapered shape and a second opening having an
externally tapered shape, an interior of the holder between the
first and second openings defining the separation pathway; a hollow
rigid member having an externally tapered shape; and a receiving
portion having an internally tapered shape; the holder positioned
between the hollow rigid member and the receiving portion, wherein
the externally tapered hollow rigid member engages the internally
tapered first opening and the internally tapered receiving portion
receives the externally tapered second opening to provide a sealed
separation pathway extending from the hollow rigid member to the
receiving portion.
2. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the interior of the
holder, between the first and second openings, includes a material
adapted to support the sample material.
3. The robotic system of claim 1 further including robotic handling
components for moving the holder into position between the
receiving portion and the hollow rigid member and for applying
axial pressure through at least one of the rigid member and the
receiving portion to create a sealed separation pathway extending
from the hollow rigid member to the receiving portion.
4. The robotic system of claim 3 wherein the robotic handling
components are adapted to apply sufficient axial pressure through
at least one of the rigid member and the receiving portion to
create a sealed separation pathway extending from the hollow rigid
member to the receiving portion that can withstand internal
pressures of one thousand pounds per square inch.
5. The robotic system of claim 1, wherein the hollow rigid member
is an elongated needle having an externally tapered tip
portion.
6. The robotic system of claim 5 further including robotic handling
components for moving the holder into position between the
receiving portion and the hollow rigid member and for applying
axial pressure through the needle to create a sealed separation
pathway extending from the needle to the receiving portion.
7. The robotic system of claim 6 wherein the robotic handling
components are adapted to apply sufficient axial pressure through
the needle to create a sealed separation pathway extending from the
hollow rigid member to the receiving portion that can withstand
internal pressures of one thousand pounds per square inch.
8. The robotic system of claim 1 wherein the surface of the
internally tapered receiving portion is a textured surface.
9. The robotic system of claim 1 wherein the surface of the
internally tapered receiving portion includes a plurality of ridges
extending circumferentially around the internally tapered
surface.
10. The robotic system of claim 1 further including a recording and
indexing sub-system for tracking and managing information regarding
the analysis of the sample.
11. The robotic system of claim 10 wherein the recording and
indexing sub-system is a computer.
12. The robotic system of claim 1 further including a delivery
system for collecting samples onto the support material prior to
assembly of the separation pathway.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/665,783, filed on Mar. 28, 2005.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention generally relates to the field of
chromatographic analysis of samples and, more specifically, to the
automatic handling of the sample during such analysis.
[0004] 2. Background of the Invention
[0005] In general, the chromatographic analysis of samples
containing components of varying molecular weight is not new. Such
analysis separates the components of a sample into fractions of
increasing or decreasing molecular weight by moving the sample,
usually together with a solvent, through a device that is adapted
to cause components of differing molecular weight to move at
differing speeds. In a typical such device the capillary pathway is
adapted so that components of a larger molecular weight move more
slowly along the pathway than those of a lower molecular weight so
that components of a lower molecular weight are delivered at the
exit end of the capillary pathway first and components of a higher
molecular weight are delivered later. The liquid may be moved
through a capillary pathway by pressure or electrostatic forces, or
both, and the adaptations that selectively control the movement of
different size components along the pathway may involve the
application of, for example, electric fields to a conductive
capillary or the use of specialized polymers in the pathway.
Fractions of the sample may then be assayed by known methods
including, for example, laser induced fluorescence (LIF) and a
variety of mass spectrographic processes.
[0006] Such devices normally provide useful results. However, the
handling of the sample during such a process has been labor
intensive and expensive. The sample is often collected on a resin
that is held in a cartridge or capillary tray capable of
withstanding high pressures. The cartridge is placed in a capillary
pathway by means of high-pressure couplings, usually by hand. There
is a need for a system capable of automatically moving samples into
and out of a separation pathway.
[0007] The samples to be analyzed are often very small in volume
and are mismatched with relatively large resin-containing
cartridges that are commercially available. Resin-containing
removable pipette tips for use with small volumes of materials are
commercially available but have not been useful as components of
high-pressure chromatography systems. There is a need for a system
including relatively small sample-supply components.
[0008] Another problem of the prior art, especially in the analysis
of low amounts of tryptic digests commonly used in proteomics
analysis, is sample loss associated with nonspecific adsorption.
Additionally, the use of nanoscale chromatography has practical
limits on the volume of sample that can be loaded onto a resin
column. It is an object of this invention to provide a
sample-supply component that is useful in high-pressure liquid
chromatography devices, that is suitable for use with small samples
and that can be moved into and out of a capillary pathway easily
and automatically.
[0009] It is another object of this invention to provide a
sample-handling system suitable for automatic or robotic movement
of small samples into and out of a capillary pathway.
SUMMARY
[0010] These and other objects are accomplished by the present
invention, wherein a robotic system for handling components during
chromatographic analysis includes a holder for positioning a sample
within a separation pathway. The holder includes a first opening
having an internally tapered shape and a second opening having an
externally tapered shape. An interior of the holder, between the
first and second openings, defines the separation pathway.
[0011] The robotic system further includes a hollow rigid member
having an externally tapered shape, and a receiving portion having
an internally tapered shape. The holder is positioned between the
hollow rigid member and the receiving portion, wherein the
externally tapered hollow rigid member engages the internally
tapered first opening and the internally tapered receiving portion
receives the externally tapered second opening to provide a sealed
separation pathway extending from the hollow rigid member to the
receiving portion.
[0012] In one aspect, the interior of the holder, between the first
and second openings, includes a material that is adapted to support
the sample material.
[0013] In another aspect, the robotic system includes robotic
handling components for moving the holder into position between the
receiving portion and the hollow rigid member. The robotic handling
components also are adapted to apply axial pressure through at
least one of the rigid member and the receiving portion to create a
sealed separation pathway extending from the hollow rigid member to
the receiving portion. The robotic handling components may be
adapted to apply sufficient axial pressure such that the sealed
separation pathway can withstand internal pressures of one thousand
pounds per square inch.
[0014] In still another aspect, the hollow rigid member is an
elongated needle having an externally tapered tip portion, wherein
the robotic handling components apply axial pressure through the
needle to create a sealed separation pathway extending from the
needle to the receiving portion. The robotic handling components
may be adapted to apply sufficient axial pressure through the
needle such that the sealed separation pathway can withstand
internal pressures of one thousand pounds per square inch.
[0015] In yet another aspect, the surface of the internally tapered
receiving portion is a textured surface. The surface of the
internally tapered receiving portion may include a plurality of
ridges extending circumferentially around the internally tapered
surface.
[0016] In still another aspect, the robotic system includes a
recording and indexing sub-system for tracking and managing
information regarding the analysis of the sample. The recording and
indexing sub-system may be a computer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above, as well as other advantages of the present
invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art
from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment
when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a robotic system of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the hollow rigid member, the
holder, and the receiving portion of the robotic system shown in
FIG. 1, prior to the components being brought into engagement with
one another;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a plan of the hollow rigid member, the holder, and
the receiving portion of the robotic system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
after the components have been brought into engagement with one
another;
[0021] FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the
holder, as indicated by the encircled area of FIG. 2 labeled "FIG.
4"; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of FIG. 3,
as indicated by the encircled area of FIG. 3 labeled "FIG. 5".
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention relates to a robotic system 10 for
handling components during chromatographic analysis of a sample.
Referring to the Figures, the system 10 includes a holder 12 for
positioning a sample within a separation pathway 14. The holder 12
is generally conical in shape. A first end 16 of the holder 12
defines a first opening 18 having an internally tapered shape. A
second end 20 of the holder 12 defines a second opening 22 having
an externally tapered shape. The separation pathway 14 is defined
as the interior of the holder 12, between the first and second
openings 18, 22.
[0024] A hollow rigid member 24 is mounted onto the robotic system
10. The hollow rigid member 24 is axially moveable along its' own
axis 26. The hollow rigid member 24 includes a tip portion 28
having an externally tapered shape. As shown, the hollow rigid
member 24 is an elongated needle having an externally tapered tip
portion 28. Preferably, the angle 30 of the externally tapered tip
portion 28 of the hollow rigid member 24 is closely aligned with
the angle 32 of the internal tapered shape of the first end 16 of
the holder 12.
[0025] A receiving portion 34 is mounted onto the robotic system
10. The receiving portion 34 includes a recess 36 having an
internally tapered shape. Preferably, the angle 32 of the
externally tapered second end of the holder is closely aligned with
the angle 38 of the internal tapered shape of the recess 36 within
the receiving portion 34.
[0026] The rigid hollow member 24, the holder 12, and the receiving
portion 34 may be made from any suitable material. Preferably, the
material that the holder 12 is formed from is relatively softer
than the material selected for the receiving portion 34 and the
hollow rigid member 24. This way, the engagement of the hollow
rigid member 24 and the receiving portion 34 with the softer holder
12 will form a seal. For instance, good results have been obtained
in prototypes having a hollow rigid member 24 made from stainless
steel, a receiving portion 34 made from a hard plastic material
such as an acetal resin, one of which is commercially available
from DuPont under the trademark Delrin.RTM., and a holder 12 made
from a relatively softer plastic material. Although the holder 12
should be pliable in order to aid in forming a high pressure seal,
the holder 12 must also be sufficiently rigid to effectively be
handled and to withstand the internal pressures of the separation
pathway 14.
[0027] The robotic system 10 includes robotic handling components
40 that move the holder 12 into position between the hollow rigid
member 24 and the receiving portion 34. When properly aligned, the
hollow rigid member 24, the holder 12, and the receiving portion 34
are all aligned co-axial with one another. Further, the robotic
system 10 also includes robotic handling components 42 that move
one or both of the hollow rigid member 24 and the receiving portion
34 axially closer to one another to capture the holder 12
therebetween. This movement brings the hollow rigid member 24 into
contact with the internally tapered first opening 18 of the holder
12 and the second end 20 of the holder 12 into contact with the
internally tapered recess 36 in the receiving portion 34.
[0028] The robotic system 10 can be designed wherein the hollow
rigid member 24 moves downward and the receiving portion 34
simultaneously moves upward, or, alternatively, the receiving
portion 34 can remain stationary, while the hollow rigid member 24
moves downward toward the receiving portion 34 after the holder 12
is positioned therebetween.
[0029] The robotic components 42 of the system 10 are designed to
place sufficient axial pressure between the hollow rigid member 24
and the receiving portion 34 to create a sealed engagement between
the tip 28 of the hollow rigid member 24 and the first opening 18
of the holder 12 and the second opening 22 of the holder 12 and the
recess 36 of the receiving portion 34, thereby creating a sealed
separation pathway 14 extending from the hollow rigid member 24 to
the receiving portion 34. The robotic components 42 may be adapted
to provide sufficient pressure to create a seal between the hollow
rigid member 24, the holder 12, and the receiving portion 34 such
that the separation pathway 14 can withstand internal pressures of
one thousand pounds per square inch.
[0030] Preferably, an interior surface 44 of the holder 12 includes
a support material 46 that is adapted to support the sample, such
as a reverse phase resin to which a material for analysis, such as
a protein fraction, is adhered. It has been found that a protein
sample can be retained on this type of material substantially
indefinitely without loss.
[0031] In operation a solvent or other capillary fluid will be
moved under pressure along the separation pathway 14 to remove the
sample from the support material 46 and to transport it through a
downstream capillary column (not shown).
[0032] The internally tapered recess 36 within the receiving
portion 34 may have a textured surface 48. Referring to FIG. 5, the
surface 48 of the internally tapered receiving portion 34 includes
a plurality of ridges 50 extending circumferentially therearound.
The texture of the internally tapered surface 48 will allow a
better seal formation between the externally tapered surface of the
second end 20 of the holder 12 and the recess 36 formed within the
receiving portion 34.
[0033] Ideally, a recording and indexing sub-system, such as a
computer, is used for tracking and managing information regarding
the analysis of the sample, and the controlling of the movements of
the robotic components.
[0034] Referring again to FIG. 1, a delivery system 52 delivers a
plurality of holders 12 to the robotic system 12. As shown, the
delivery system 52 is a rack that holds a quantity of holders 12
that have samples pre-loaded therein for analysis. The robotic
system 10 includes additional robotic components 54 that move the
delivery system 52 to allow the holders 12 to be removed from the
delivery system 52. The robotic handling components 40 of the
system 10 retrieve the holders 12 from the rack and position them
between the hollow rigid member 24 and the receiving portion 34 as
described above.
[0035] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the present invention has been described in what is considered to
represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted
that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically
illustrated and described.
* * * * *